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Don't you feel... any remorse for her?

What choice should I make? What choices did I even have?

How do I explain these principles to the one before me?

No... why should I even tell her?

Why did I... meet her...

What did I... want to hear from her?

Well... I get it.

It's not a choice you'd make alone, when considering the so-called big picture.

Truth is not always power, when public opinion can triumph. Everyone sees and believes in different things...

The so-called truth only holds true to whoever claims it first.

My dad spent his whole life trying to find out the truth, but he chose to accept this.

It's not because he forgave you... he just agreed with the result you and that Grand Preceptor wanted to achieve together.

The occupant of the dragon throne puts down his chopsticks, and a light, faint sigh echoes throughout the great hall.

How do you want me... to compensate for this?

Compensate? No... that's impossible.

I know... to you and Yan, the reputation of one or the fates of a few are not even worth mentioning.

But for those unfortunate souls swept away by your grand plan, their suffering can't be undone.

Then, how do you want...?

Yeah, well... I was thinking about it before I came here. What kind of outcome do I even want?

An apology from you? To clear their names?

But is that enough comfort to those who are gone? Does it mean anything to those left behind?

I even considered the worst outcome of our meeting...

A ball of flames ignites and extinguishes within Blaze's palm, illuminating the palace for just a moment.

I just want you to promise me one thing.

Don't forget them.

I said before, there is no need to wait on me here...

Your Imperial Majesty's safety is paramount, so I beg your pardon for our defiance against your rule.

The traitor's descendant wantonly barged into the Forbidden City. It was a merciful act to grant her an audience.

Shall we charge her on grounds of deceiving Your Majesty?

...No.

News from the Sui Regulator. The convict has returned to the ancient temple.

Both Tianshis and Imperial Guardsmen are already in position. Yumen is also ready for battle.

Shall we give the order to slay him at once?

Pass on my decree...

Leizi!

You...

Heh... Good to see you alive.

What happened to you? Your face's all black and blue. Got your ass whooped?

Pah! You're one to talk! I can feel your hand trembling!

Are you scared...?

I...

Yeah, I'm scared!

That's the True Lung after all! The king, the boss of a whole country! Just one word from him and many heads will roll!

I'm not scared of dying! I've been on the battlefield after all. I've been in shit more dire than this!

I'm just scared... that my meeting with the True Lung would be fruitless, wasting the opportunity everyone fought so hard for.

You idiot...

Then, tell me quick... what did you... talk about with the True Lung?

I... asked him for an explanation—For my dad, my younger sister, the relative I never met.

Hmph. I couldn't see his face clearly, but I'm sure he felt—

What's wrong?

...It's snowing?

The two are in such a hurry they only notice now the surrounding air has gradually gotten colder.

The energy poles scattered throughout the city gradually power down. It is mid-autumn, but the temperature plummets as if it's winter.

In contrast to the dimming city lights, the twin moons shine ever brighter.

Snow starts to fall.

Time's almost up.

We should go... Deputy Minister Yu.

Put it on me.

But...

Deputy Minister Yu, we are all aware of the man you are... so why not—

'All criminals should walk with a cangue and chains; even suspects should be clapped in irons'... And this is how you conduct yourself as a warden?

Put it on me!

As you say. Forgive my dereliction of duty.

Go slow... Let us savor this moonlight.

A snowflake floats through a window, landing on the prisoner's face.

What the...? Weather like this in the middle of autumn, and we even have snowflakes...?

(Gu Quan... I've done what I promised you, brother.)

Ning Yin is back in the study.

She takes out pen and paper along with an incomplete history book manuscript.

The story of the past, the hidden names... she knows them now and should be able to finish the final chapter.

Yet, she hesitates, her pen still.

A gust of wind flings the window open, and shuts the book.

A single snowflake lands on her draft, making the first stroke.

What...? It's snowing?

Blaze...

Is your shopkeeper still not here?

He... he's really not here this time...

It's fine. I guess I'm bound to never meet him.

I vowed to show everyone a Feast of a Hundred Delicacies never before seen, but it turned out to be a joke in the end.

I'm a joke myself as well.

I'm ready to let go, be it Ding Feng Lou or my culinary skills.

Chef Mo... He told me to give this to you when you showed up looking for him.

He knew I would come?

Jiang brings out an empty bowl, where a wooden plate lies within. Carved on it, in firm, strong strokes, are four Yanese characters—

'Tian Xia Di Yi'—'First Under Heaven.'

I was told, this title weighs heavy, but it cannot feed the hungry.

He also said that while culinary skills can be compared, hunger treats kings and paupers alike.

And that it didn't matter if there would be future top chefs, or just common cooks among those people on that snowy night; he would've made that pot of noodles for them anyway.

The old man is struck dumb, and then immediately bursts into hearty laughter.

Snow buffets his face. He has not felt this awake or elated for a long time.

...Hmph.

Heed the True Lung's decree.

Mobilize seven-tenths of the city's energy...

...To open the Tomb of Sui.

Yes.

The Feranmuts are also the citizens of Yan, no different than humans.

And if my citizen has an injustice to appeal, I will grant him permission.

Should he succeed, he would render Yan a meritorious service by ridding this thousand-year concern once and for all.

If he fails and the bestial Sui awakens, then he shall have the full might of Yan behind him. Together, we shall slay the beast, until the threat is no more.

Your Imperial Majesty, do you intend to pardon the convict?